BS’D
Today’s daily dose is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Ketty Bat Olga who is undergoing surgery tomorrow, Friday morning (NY time 6 AM) at NYU Hospital. Please daven that the surgery serve as a shaliach for her complete healing and she and all others in Klal Yisrael suffer no longer, Amen!
Today, the 9th of Tevet, is the yahrtzeit of Ezra, the leader of the Jewish people at the time of their return from Babylonian exile and the building of the Second Temple. Ezra was the founder of the Great Assembly, a body of 120 prophets and sages who established important matters like the standard text found in Jewish prayer books today. (Aish.com) May we always be zoche to have great righteous leaders to guide us in this world in the path of Torah, Amen!
We are seated now in the heart of winter with snow thinking we will never see sunshine again. The trees even appear lonesome as the animals go into hiding. Should we snuggle into a corner too?
The Torah teaches that what goes on around us in the physical world is a reflection on what happens in the spiritual worlds and is meant to convey a message to us as well. When the sun shines brightly during the warm months of spring and summer there is a sense of revelation due to the immense light and warmth. Yet when the climate is cold there is certainly an aspect of withdrawal and cold lifelessness.
However we must reveal the hidden good for there is plenty to unearth. At the onset of Tevet we should begin digging inside to discover what has been concealed from us, recognizing the weeds and thinking about what we wish to replant. This is the required condition to prepare us for the month of Shvat in which the sap begins to spill forth to nurture the seedlings.
This notion defines the fast tomorrow, the 10th of Tevet as well. The inner essence of fast days is good for it since it cuts us off from our material ends. Although in current times we seemingly appear as a lost nation without the ability to shine, these days are destined to become days of joy and happiness.
We can glow, we can shine and we can rededicate our lives to Hashem no matter how dreary we feel and how distant we’ve traveled. May it be a meaningful fast and may we walked away renewed and strengthened with resolve in our avodat Hashem, Amen!
Tomorrow, the 10th of Tevet is the yahrtzeit of Reb Noson (January 22, 1780 – December 20, 1844) born Nathan Sternhartz, who was the chief disciple and scribe of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov ztk’l. Reb Noson is credited with preserving, promoting and expanding the Breslov movement after the Rebbe’s death. Rebbe Nachman himself said, “Were it not for Reb Noson, not a page of my writings would have remained.” May his merit serve on high as an advocate for Klal Yisrael, Amen!
Have a wonderful Shabbat.
